Wiretapping is a form of surveillance that intercepts telecommunications in real time and can capture the content of communications, which is distinct from historical toll records that do not include content.
November 12, 2025
high
telecommunications
Explains the technical and legal distinction between real-time interception (wiretapping) and post-hoc metadata collection (toll records).
Wiretapping is the real-time recording or surveillance of telephone or other electronic communications and is governed by a series of U.S. federal laws.
October 09, 2025
high
definition
General definition of wiretapping in U.S. legal context.
A common legal interpretation is that collecting call metadata (such as tolling data or call-detail records) does not constitute a wiretap because wiretapping involves intercepting the content of communications.
October 09, 2025
medium
legal_interpretation
Summarizes legal experts' view distinguishing metadata collection from wiretapping.